Bill to provide free-to-air sport on TV

The British and Irish Lions rugby tour, which will soon kick off in New Zealand, is arousing phenomenal interest, but too few Kiwis will be able to attend the matches or see the matches live on television, says New Zealand First

“New Zealand First wants to change that by making top level sport involving Kiwis free-to-view live on television,” says New Zealand First Sport and Recreation Spokesperson Clayton Mitchell.

“This evening the first reading of our Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill will come before Parliament which will ensure all top international Kiwi sport can be seen free on television.

“New Zealand First believes it's completely wrong Kiwis are missing out on live television sport because they can't afford a SKY subscription.

“When New Zealand taxpayers have paid almost a billion dollars each year for sport and recreation and funded state television, we think that's not a fair go.

“Having live sport on television is not a big ask either; New Zealand had it before, and our Bill will make sure we can have it again,” says Mr Mitchell.